Technical Director - Fire Engineering

HKA is a leading global consultancy in risk mitigation, dispute resolution, expert witness and litigation support. We anticipate, investigate and resolve complex challenges by harnessing world-leading multi-disciplinary expertise and experience.

As trusted independent consultants, experts and advisors, we deliver solutions amid uncertainty, dispute and overrun, and provide the insights that make the best possible outcomes a reality for public and private sector clients worldwide. Our experts have testified across the globe on many of the largest quantum, delay, engineering and commercial damages matters.

What to expect at HKA

• A globally respected consultancy with a market-leading reputation in engineering expert witness services.

• Exposure to diverse, high-impact commissions, including major international disputes and multidisciplinary expert appointments.

• A collaborative and supportive culture where technical excellence is celebrated and expertise is strengthened through shared knowledge.

• Tailored development, mentoring and structured pathways to help further your expert journey, whether you already testify or are expanding your scope.

• The opportunity to work alongside high-performing experts across multiple engineering disciplines, broadening your technical, forensic and strategic experience.

• A commitment to continuous learning, professional growth and the development of strong expert witness capability.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly credible Fire Engineering specialist, ideally operating at Director or Principal Consultant level, to join our Forensic Technical Services (FTS) team.

This is a key role within our engineering expert practice, offering the opportunity to work on high-profile construction and infrastructure disputes while developing, or further strengthening your position as an expert.

You will:

• Lead technical analysis on fire engineering issues within complex disputes, providing robust, defensible insight across sophisticated technical challenges.

• Collaborate with appointed Expert Witnesses, contributing to the preparation of expert reports, joint statements and forensic analysis.

• Act as a trusted advisor, offering clarity on fire safety regulations, codes, standards and engineering judgement for clients and legal teams.

• Provide peer review and quality assurance, ensuring all technical outputs meet the highest standards of accuracy and consistency.

• Support and guide multidisciplinary expert teams, shaping case strategy and providing technical leadership.

• Play an active role in developing the FTS practice, mentoring junior colleagues, contributing to thought leadership and helping drive innovation in fire engineering consultancy.

Whether you already act as an expert or are developing into a lead expert role, we will support you with structured expert witness training, guidance from experienced experts and opportunities to take on increasingly complex appointments.

What You will bring:

We’re looking for a fire engineering specialist who brings:

• A degree in Fire Engineering or a closely related discipline, with 10+ years’ technical experience in consultancy.

• Deep knowledge of UK fire regulations, codes and standards, with exposure to international fire engineering frameworks.

• Experience acting as a testifying expert or significant experience supporting expert witnesses, with a strong interest in progressing to full expert appointments.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex fire engineering issues clearly, confidently and concisely.

• Strong analytical capability, attention to detail and a commitment to producing rigorous, defensible technical work.

• A collaborative, professional approach, with the confidence to contribute to high-stakes projects and the drive to continue building expert authority.

• A passion for technical excellence, continuous learning and high-quality consultancy delivery.

What We Offer:

At HKA, you’ll join a consultancy that genuinely invests in your professional growth and expert journey. We offer competitive compensation, a flexible and supportive working environment, and access to world-class training, resources and expert development pathways. You’ll collaborate with leading practitioners across engineering, quantum, delay and forensic disciplines, gaining exposure to major international disputes and complex technical challenges. Most importantly, you’ll be part of a culture that values integrity, excellence and collaboration - where your contribution is recognised, your expertise is nurtured and your career can thrive.

ED&I at HKA:

HKA has a thriving ED&I committee working hard to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for a truly diverse set of employees. We are committed as a business on the continued improvement of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, please visit our careers page for further information or feel free to ask our recruitment team for further information.

All HKA employment decisions are firstly made on merit and shall be made without regard to age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, marriage, and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation, or any other basis in compliance with local legislation.

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